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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1989-08-23, Page 23Viewers choice THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 1989. PAGE 23. ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opens in Stratford Previews of the great American playwright, Tennessee Williams’ Pulitzer Prize-winning “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” begin August 23rd at the Stratford Festival’s Avon Theatre. “Cat”, the only remain­ ing full-scale production of the 1989 season opens on Friday, August 25 and then runs in repertory through October 29. A poetic evocation of that special world we have come to know at Tennessee Williams’ South, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ is directed by Robert Beard, with design by John Ferguson and lighting design by Michael J. Whitfield. This contemporary classic fea­ tures James Blendick as Big Daddy, Shirley Douglas as Big Mama, Geordie Johnson as Brick and Goldie Semple as Maggie. Also appearing in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof are David Brown, Alicia Buck, William Dunlop, Emma Hammer, Daryl Hutchison, Daniel Leberg, William Needles, Kay Tremblay and Anne Wright. Eleanor Coleman, RR 1, Zurich, discusses her Stanley Township historical quilt with Carol McDonnellco-ordinatorofthe Blyth Festival Gallery. Mrs. Coleman, along with Marilyn Stothersof Kintail and Winnipeg, were winners of the “viewers choice’’ awards in voting among those who attended the Festival’s recent quilt show. New cast for Mail Order Bride What could a crazy old coot from Saskatchewan and a World War II flying ace possibly have in com­ mon? “The Mail Order Bride” by Alberta playwright, Robert Clinton assembles a lovable cast of charac­ ters that vividly recreates three generations of a pioneer family. It opens August 30 at the Blyth Festival. In the winter of 1908, Charlotte Emery quit her work as a school teacher and travelled hundreds of miles on a train full of strangers to meet her husband to be, for the first time. The romance between Charlotte, a mail order bride and her stoic young farmer husband Food Spot enthusiast Continued from page 5 moved permanently. This however, involved commuting for Mr. Archi­ bald from Tara to Goderich where he was employed by Champion Road Graders as a video producer so the couple moved to Londes- boro. Last year Mrs. Archibald was employed as secretary of the Seniors Care Facility Committee, which was looking at the possibility of replacing Huron view. Mrs. Archibald is tremendously enthusiastic about the Food Spot saying that she and the rest of the staff prepare the food ‘lovingly’. Her inspiration and input for her recipes she attributes to her hus­ band, John. Mrs. Archibald is modest about the food she prepares saying that if you can prepare a roux, you can make anything. She wants it noted that the delicious homebaking offered ther is compliments of Isabel McClure. She is also impressed with the attitude of the company at the Festival. “There’s no snobbishness and everyone has been kind and considerate to me making me feel welcome,” she said. A really interesting aspect of the Food Spot is that the fact that 50 per cent of their business is from the company. “I wonder what people think when they realize that that normal guy next to them when they were eating is the glamorous star of the play they see that day,” says Mrs. Archibald. Mrs. Archibald attests to a strong passion for the rural life. “I probably lived in the country in a previous life,” she says in mock seriousness. “Everyone is wonder­ ful. I like living here and enjoy being alone - far from everything, yet close.” beautifully weaves throughout the play as Harold English, a rural comic reveals the Teeter family history to grandson Russell and his wife Eva. Back by popular demand, “The Mail Order Bride” closes a very successful 1989 season of the Blyth Festival, also making 22 stops in theatres across Ontario this fall. Directed by Artistic Director Kath­ erine Kaszas, “The Mail Order Bride” closes a very successful Back by popular demand, “The Mail Order Bride” closes a very successful 1989 season of the Blyth Festival, also making 22 stops in theatres across Ontario this fall. Directed by Artistic Director Kath­ erine Kaszas, “The Mail Order Bride” features the talents of: Katia de Pena, Kevin Bundy, Melissa Bell, Robert Winslow, Cheryl Swarts, Robert McClure and Stephen Walsh. Set design is by Allan Stichbury, costume design by Charlotte Dean, lighting design by Harry Frehner and original music by John Roby. Arranged marriages, marriages of convenience, let alone marriages between strangers are unusual occurrences, almost unheard of since World War II. The few exceptions occur in cultures outside North American life (as playwright Robert Clinton points out): the brides who are “ordered” from the Phillipines and other countries in the Orient; and some American and Canadian brides still answer ads and wed workers in the isolated Canadian North or Alaska. “The Mail Order Bride” has a long history, starting as three five- minute radio dramas, evolving into a one-act musical and finally taking shape as a full-length drama. “There’s a lot packed into the play” says playwright Robert Clin­ ton. “The play speaks of the history of the prairies and the life of the homesteader. There’s a part of the story that has to do with farms and farm problems, but only in the way those problems affect the people.” On opening night in 1988, critics praised the play as “cleverly crafted ... with a powerful effect on anyone who has ever yearned after his own roots or wanted to know the generations that have gone before” (Citizen) and “commanding a sweep of time and place, that puts it firmly in the company of lyrical writing from Faulkner through to Margaret Laurence” (Globe and Mail). “The Mail Order Bride” plays at Blyth Memorial Hall from August 29 to September 16, and begins a Fall Tour of Ontario including performances in: Aylmer (Sept. 19), Kitchener - Waterloo (Sept. 20-21), Picton (Oct. 3), Deep River (Oct. 4), Manotick (Oct. 5), Graven- hurst (Oct. 7), Kapuskasing (Oct. 11), Sault Ste. Marie (Oct. 13), Blind River (Oct. 14), Brampton (Oct. 17), Port Dover (Oct. 18), Petrolia1 (Oct. 19), Chatham (Oct. 20-21), Amherstburg (Oct. 22), Belleville (Oct. 24), Peterborough (Oct. 26), Barrie (Oct. 27), and Guelph (Oct. 28). PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA THURS., FRI., SAT. 5P.M.-12A.M. BLYTH INN EAT IN OR TAKE OUT 523-9381 Family Paradise Snowmobile Club Presents: COUNTRY & WESTERN JAMBOREE Sunday, August 27 — 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. s6.00 per person Food Available FAMILY PARADISE DANCE HALL Proceeds to Seaforth 1:00 . 4;30 _ COUNTRY COMPANIONS Community Hospital 4:30 _ 8;00 _ C0UNTRY VERSATILES Held under the authority of a special occasion permit Looking for a Family Fun Place to spend your weekends and holidays? Come to Family Paradise Campground. THE BEST TIME YOU'LL HAVE ANYWHERE 527-0629 I I I I I g RICK {HONEY I I the kibs trovbB’’ | I I I I I— - prints' Phone 357-1630 for 24 hour movie information ■ Playing from Friday to Thursday, August 25 to 31 X Showtimes: Friday andSaturdayat7and9p.m. Sunday to Thursday 8p.m. each evening X jp PICTURES WITH SPECIAL ADDED ATTRACTION IA1IIC I (fiKritfiwp ncn.is -M.Sirvrn Sp,eltx-<g ■>.».. | IN Hl FAMILY ------------------- 1 SHRUNK I CKNX-AM 920 AND THE BLYTH MINOR HOCKEY B RINGETTE ASSOCIATION PRESENT SUMSI(j\ SAT. AUG. 26 AT THE Blyth & District Community Centre DANCING 9 P.M. - 1 A.M. TICKETS AVAILABLE AT BLYTH MINI MART & ERNIE KING’S MUSIC $10. ADVANCE, $12. AT DOOR All proceeds to Blyth Minor Hockey & Rlngette Association.